Shelving accessory including overlay member with channel and recess

ABSTRACT

A shelving accessory for a shelving unit. The accessory includes an overlay member having a channel positioned on a surface thereof. First and second recesses are formed at opposing ends of the channel.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to shelving accessories, and more specifically, to accessories for open wire shelving units.

Component shelving systems, such as open wire shelving units, provide a cost effective and simple alternative for those with shelving needs. These systems usually combine portability, ease of assembly, and strength. Characteristics that make component shelving a popular choice for a wide variety of settings such as laboratories, factories, hospitals and private homes.

One problem with component shelving, however, is that although it performs well from a functional standpoint, it does not always aesthetically fit its environment. Accordingly, what is needed is a shelving accessory that addresses this problem.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment a shelving accessory is provided. The shelving accessory includes an overlay member. A channel is positioned on the surface of the overlay member. A first recess and a second recess are formed at opposing ends of the channel.

In one embodiment a shelving unit is provided. The shelving unit includes at least one shelf assembly. A support post is attached to the shelf. An overlay member is attached to the shelf assembly. The overlay member includes a channel positioned on a surface of the channel. At least one recess is positioned in communication with the channel. A portion of the shelf assembly is positioned in the channel and at least a portion of the support post is positioned in the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelving unit including at least one overlay member.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of one of the overlay members shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the overlay member of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of a portion of the shelving unit of FIG. 1 illustrating attachment of an overlay member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a shelving unit 10 comprises one or more support posts 50, at least one shelf assembly 100 and at least one overlay member 200. Shelving unit 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as having rectangular shelf assemblies 100 mounted on four support posts 50. This configuration is shown for illustrative purposes only. Shelving unit 10 could have a configuration different from that shown. For example, shelf assemblies 100 can be trapezoidal, triangular, and the like. The number of support posts 50 can also vary. For instance, shelf assemblies 100 could be supported at two corners by support posts 50 and attached at opposite corners to a wall. In another example, shelf assemblies 100 could be triangular and supported by one support post 50 at an apex with the opposite base attached to a wall. Numerous configurations are possible.

Shelving unit 10 is also shown with two shelf assemblies 100, but other alternatives are possible. For example, shelving unit 10 could have a base shelving assembly and a top shelving assembly with one or more intermediate shelving assemblies provided therebetween. In another example, shelving unit 10 could have only one shelving assembly 100. In a further example, shelving unit 10 could have only a base and a top shelving assembly 100.

Support posts 50 are shown as cylindrical, but other shapes (e.g. square, hexagon, etc.) are possible. Each support post 50 can be solid or hollow and be made of any material sufficient to support one or more shelf assemblies 100. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, wood, plastics, and metals, such as nickel-chrome plated or decoratively cold-rolled steel, and stainless steel sheet. Support posts 50 can also include notches 52, if necessary, which can be utilized to attach shelf assemblies 100 to support posts 50. Support posts 50 can rest on a surface, a solitary base or in casters.

Each shelf assembly 100 has a perimeter defined by support rails 110. A mat 130 is connected to, and supported by support rails 110. The support rails 110 and mats 130 are attached to collars 150, which attach each shelf assembly 100 to support posts 50.

For illustrative purposes, each shelf assembly 100 is depicted as a plurality of wire rods 112 connected together in a grid-like configuration. The particular configuration of rods 112 can vary, depending on the needs or preferences of the manufacturers, sellers, and end users. Rods 112 can be made of any material strong enough to support shelf assembly 110 while in use. Examples include ¼ inch bright basic steel (BBS) and number 6 American Wire Gage BBS. Rods 112 can be connected by known means, such as welding and chemical bonding. It should be noted that, it is not essential that shelving unit 10 is of the open wire variety. Shelving unit 10 could be solid and made of another material, such as wood or plastic, without departing from the scope of the present application.

Referring further to FIG. 1, each support rail 110 comprises two parallel rods 114 and a snake-like rod 116. The snake-like rod 116 is attached to parallel rods 114 at one or more connection points 118.

Each mat 130 comprises a plurality of intersecting rods 120, 122 set forth in a grid-like configuration. Rods 120, 122 are connected at each end to opposing support rails 110. A mat 130 forms the support surface for a respective shelf assembly 100.

Each support rail 110 is connected at each end to a collar 150. Each shelf assembly 100 is attached to support posts 50 by positioning collars 150 over support posts 50. Shelf assemblies 100 can be maintained in a particular position on support post 50 through utilization of a sleeve (not shown), which can be located between collar 150 and support post 50. The sleeves can have ridges which are designed to fit in notches 52. It is envisioned, however, that any known other means could be used to maintain shelf assembly 100 in a particular vertical position.

Overlay member 200, in one example, fits over support rail 110 and provides shelf assembly 100 with an appearance different than open wire shelving. Overlay member 200 can be made of a variety of materials, such as wood, metal or plastic, and have a variety of shapes and configurations. Overlay member 200 could include decorations on a front surface 201 thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, overlay member 200, in one example, comprises a rectangular strip of material having a channel 210 positioned on back surface 211, and first and second recesses 270 formed at opposing ends of channel 210. Channel 210 receives a support rail 110 of a shelving assembly 100. Thus, channel 210 is generally dimensioned sufficient to receive support rail 110 such that overlay member 200 conceals shelf assembly 100. For example, channel 210 could have a length equal to support rail 110, a depth slightly larger than the depth of support rail 110, and a width slightly larger than support rail 110. Other alternatives are possible depending on the needs and preferences of the manufacturers, sellers, and end users. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the channel 210 is generally rectangular, and is defined by opposing sidewalls 240 which extend outward from surface 211. A plurality of holes 250 are provided in surface 211 which are utilized to attach overlay member 200 to shelving unit 10.

Recesses 270 are formed in communication with channel 210. Recesses 270 receive support posts 50 and collars 15 of shelving unit 10. Accordingly, recesses 270, in one example, comprise arcuate grooves formed in surface 211. Alternatively, recesses 270 could have other shapes. For instance, if support posts 50 were square in cross-section, recesses 270 could have a square shape.

Referring to FIG. 4, overlay member 200 is attached to shelf assembly 100 by positioning support rail 110 within channel 210 and support post 50 with collar 150 in recess 270. A fastener, such as a screw 401, and a washer 403 secure overlay member 200 to shelf assembly 100. Screw 401 is positioned in one of holes 250. The washer 403 is located between the head of screw 401 and snake-like rod 116. When screw 401 is tightened, washer 403 bears against snake-like rod 116 and secures overlay member 200 to shelf assembly 100. Because a plurality of holes 250 are provided, variances in the positioning of snake-like wire 116 will not prevent a user from having a hole 250 in which to insert screw 401.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicant's contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims, when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art. 

1. A shelving accessory, comprising: an overlay member including a channel positioned on a surface thereof; and a first recess and a second recess formed at opposing ends of the channel.
 2. The shelving accessory of claim 1, wherein the overlay member comprises a rectangular strip.
 3. The shelving accessory of claim 1, wherein the overlay member is made of wood.
 4. The shelving accessory of claim 1, wherein the channel is rectangular.
 5. The shelving accessory of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises two spaced apart sidewalls extending longitudinally over the surface of the overlay member.
 6. The shelving accessory of claim 5, wherein each recess extends across the sidewalls.
 7. The shelving accessory of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of holes positioned in the channel.
 8. The shelving accessory of claim 1, wherein the holes are adapted to receive a fastener engageable with a shelving unit.
 9. The shelving accessory of claim 1, wherein the first recess and the second recess are both in communication with the channel.
 10. The shelving accessory of claim 1, wherein the first recess and the second recess each comprise a groove formed in the surface of the overlay member.
 11. The shelving accessory of claim 10, wherein each groove has an arcuate surface.
 12. A shelving unit, comprising: at least one shelf assembly; at least one support post attached to the shelf assembly; and an overlay member attached to the shelf assembly, the overlay member including a channel positioned on a surface thereof and at least one recess in communication with the channel, wherein at least a portion of the shelf assembly is positioned in the channel and at least a portion of the support post is positioned in the recess.
 13. The shelving unit of claim 12, wherein the shelf assembly comprises at least one support rail.
 14. The shelving unit of claim 13, wherein the portion of the shelf assembly positioned in the channel is the support rail.
 15. The shelving unit of claim 14, wherein the channel has a depth generally greater than a depth of the support rail.
 16. The shelving unit of claim 13, wherein the support rail includes a first rod coupled to a second rod.
 17. The shelving unit of claim 16, wherein the support rail further comprises a snake-like rod coupled between the first rod and the second rod.
 18. The shelving unit of claim 17, wherein the overlay member includes a plurality of holes located in the channel.
 19. The shelving unit of claim 18, further comprising a screw having a first end in engagement with the shelf and a second end disposed in one of the holes.
 20. The shelving unit of claim 19, further comprising a washer disposed on the screw, wherein the washer is located between the screw and the snake-like rod.
 21. The shelving unit of claim 13, wherein the shelf assembly further comprises a collar having an interior and an exterior, wherein the interior is in engagement with the support post and the exterior is attached to the support rail.
 22. The shelving unit of claim 21, wherein the collar and the support post are positioned in the recess.
 23. The shelving unit of claim 12, wherein the shelf assembly comprises an open wire structure and the overlay member comprises a wooden strip.
 24. The shelving attachment of claim 12, wherein the at least one support post includes a first support post attached to a first end of the shelf and a second support post attached to a second end of the shelf.
 25. The shelving attachment of claim 24, wherein the at least one recess includes a first recess and a second recess and the first support post is positioned in the first recess, and the second support post is positioned in the second recess. 